The First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation Successfully Held in Beijing

The First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), was held in China National Convention Center in Beijing from August 27 to 28, 2012. Vice Premier Li Keqiang attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended and addressed the closing ceremony. Abdul’ahat Abdulrixit, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and President of Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA) hosted a reception welcoming the Chinese and African delegates. Around 340 African guests attended the Forum, including Uganda’s Vice President Edward Ssekandi, First Vice President of Burundi Therence Sinunguruza, Togo’s former Prime Minister Edem Kojo and other current or former African state leaders, 39 mayors of the capital cities of African Countries, as well as local government officials and entrepreneurs. Around 1500 Chinese participants attended the Forum, including leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Commerce and 26 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as numerous entrepreneurs. During the Forum, delegates held in-depth discussions on the theme of "Enhance Local Cooperation, Promote Common Development", and issued the Beijing Declaration of the First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation. The Council of the Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was established, and the signing ceremony of agreements on establishing friendship relationship between Chinese and African provinces or cities and agreements on cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises was also held. CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Vice President Feng Zuoku and Secretary General Lin Yi attended concerning programs of the Forum.

Therence Sinunguruza, the First Vice Preisdent of Burundi Addressing the Opening Ceremony